Method for uprighting electrical inductive apparatus

ABSTRACT

A method for uprighting electrical inductive apparatus after shipment in a horizontal position, including the steps of mounting a rocker assembly having a curved base to the underside of the inductive apparatus to be uprighted, rotating the inductive apparatus on the curved base for a predetermined portion of the uprighting cycle, restraining the inductive apparatus from suddenly completing its turning cycle, and controllably releasing the restraint on the inductive apparatus during the remaining portion of the turning or uprighting cycle.

United States Patent inventor Robert S. Farmer, Sr.

Muncie, Ind.

App], No. 866,341

Filed Oct. 14, 1969 Patented Nov. 16, 1971 Assignee WestinghouseElectric Corporation Pittsburgh, Pa.

METHOD FOR UPRIGHTING ELECTRICAL INDUCTIVE APPARATUS 10 Claims, 3Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 214/152, 214/148, 214/1 Q, 254/94 Int. Cl 865g 7/08 Field ofSearch ..2l4/ 1 QE, 1

Q, 148, 152, l H, 12; 254/94 [5 6] Reterences Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,424,258 7/1947 Smith 214/1 015x 2,787,385 4/1957 Campbell214/1 Q 2,862,629 12/1958 Aberle 2l3/l48R Primary Examiner-Gerald M.Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Frank E. Werner Attorneys-A. T. Stratton, F.E. Browder and D. R. Lackey ABSTRACT: A method for uprighting electricalinductive apparatus after shipment in a horizontal position, includingthe steps of mounting a rocker assembly having a curved base to theunderside of the inductive apparatus to be uprighted, rotating theinductive apparatus on the curved base for a predetermined portion ofthe uprighting cycle, restraining the inductive apparatus from suddenlycompleting its turning cycle, and controllably releasing the restrainton the inductive apparatus during the remaining portion of the turningor uprighting cycle.

PATENTEDunv 16 Ml SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTOR Robert S Former,Sr.

BY I r ////l (z ATTORNEY METHOD FOR UPRIGI'ITING ELECTRICAL INDUCTIVEAPPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Theinvention relates in general to electrical inductive apparatus, such aspower transformers and reactors, and more specifically to a method foruprighting such inductive apparatus after shipment in a horizontalposition.

2. Description of the Prior Art Many large power transformers andreactors of the shellform type are turned over on their sides andshipped horizontally, in order to meet shipping clearances imposed bybridges, tunnels, and the like. There is no problem in laying theapparatus on its side at the manufacturing site, as large cranes,high-capacity slings, and lifting beams are readily available. However,when the apparatus reaches its destination, highcapacity lifting devicesmay not be readily available. Thus, it would be desirable to provide newand improved methods for uprighting large power inductive apparatusafter horizontal shipment, which eliminates the need for large,high-capacity lifting devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the present invention is a new andimproved method for uprighting large electrical inductive apparatus,such as transformers and reactors, from a horizontal shipping position.The method includes the steps of attaching the rocker assembly to theunderside of the horizontally disposed inductive apparatus, andattaching cables to the inductive apparatus as predetermined locations.Certain of the cables are used to provide a pulling force on theinductive apparatus such that the inductive apparatus is rotated on thecurved base of the rocker assembly, other cables are used to restrainthe inductive apparatus from completing the turning cycle suddenly oncethe center of gravity of the inductive apparatus advances past the endof the curved base of the rocker assembly, and still other cables areused to prevent rectilinear movement of the inductive apparatus as it isbeing turned between its horizontal and vertical positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further advantages and uses of theinvention will become more apparent when considered in view of thefollowing detailed description and drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are side and end elevational views, respectively, ofhorizontally disposed electrical inductive apparatus, with a rockerassembly shown attached to the inductive apparatus prior to theuprighting cycle; and

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the electrical inductive apparatusshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the process of being uprighted according tothe teachings of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings,and FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, there is shown side and end elevationalviews, respectively, of electrical inductive apparatus 10, such as apower transformer, shown ready for the uprighting cycle after shipmentin a horizontal position. Large power transformers and reactors arenormally shipped on a railroad car, and often must be turned on one sideto meet shipping limitations on maximum height. Turning the apparatus onits side is easily accomplished at the manufacturing site, becausehigh-capacity lifting devices are available. Such lifting devices arenot always readily available, however, at the installation site, makingit necessary to bring high-capacity cranes from long distances toperform the lifting required, or other time-consuming uprightingprocedures are resorted to. The present invention discloses new andimproved apparatus and methods for uprighting large power transformerand reactors, which will quickly and easily upright such apparatuswithout requiring high-capacity lifting devices.

More specifically, inductive apparatus 10, herein after referred to as atransformer, has bottom and top ends 14 and 16, respectively, and agenerally rectangular configuration defined by four sidewall portionswhich, in the horizontal position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, may bereferred to as an underside portion 18, and upper side portion 20, andtwo vertical sidewall portions 22 and 24. Transformer 10 is preparedduring manufacturing for receiving a rocker assembly 12, which isattached to the transformer 10 at its destination point, by weldingsuitable fittings to the transformer. Since the transformer l0 normallyrequires rugged fittings with openings therein for lifting hooks, tofacilitate handling during manufacturing, some of these fittings may belocated to also serve as fittings for the rocker assembly 12. Forexample, fittings 26 and 28 having an opening therein, are welded nearthe bottom end 14 of transformer 10, at the two spaced corners thereofwhich will be the two lower corners when the transformer is shipped in ahorizontal position, fittings 30 and 32 having openings therein arewelded near the bottom 14 of the transformer, at the two upper comers,fittings 34 and 36 are welded near the top end 16 of the transformer 10,at the two bottom comers, and fittings 38 and 40 are welded near the topend 16, at the two upper comers thereof. In addition to these fittings,two metallic pads having openings therein, such as pad 42, are welded ata predetermined location between the bottom and top ends 14 and 16,respectively, at or immediately adjacent to the intersection ofunderside portion 18 with the sidewall portions 22 and 24, respectively.

The rocker assembly 12 has first and second rocker members 50 and 52,respectively, Since each of the rocker members 50 and 52 are of similarconstruction, only rocker member 50 is described in detail. Rockermember 50 includes a curved base portion 54 having first and second ends56 and 58 respectively. The curved base is provided with a channel ortrough 60 which extends inwardly from the outer periphery of the base,and which extends along the complete length of the base between thefirst and second ends 56 and 58 thereof. A cable 62 is disposed inchannel 60 which has one end secured adjacent end 56 of the curved basemember, such as by a bolt 64 disposed through an eye" or opening at theend 65 of cable 62, and through fittings 66 and 68 which are welded tothe rocker members, and which have openings therein for receiving a bolt64. Or, instead of securing end 65 of the cable 62 to the rockerassembly, it may be secured to a suitable fitting on the transformer 10,at the time the rocker assembly is assembled with the transformer 10.

Rocker members 50 and 52 are securely held in spaced parallel relationby adjustable metallic plate assemblies, such as assemblies 70, 72 and74, and by adjustable cross bracing members 76 and 78. The structuralplate assemblies may be made adjustable, to accommodate a wide range oftransformer tank sizes, by using three plate members, such as platemembers 80, 82 and 84 for assembly 70, each of which have a largeplurality of openings therein for receiving nut and bolt combinations.Plates and 84 are fixed to rocker members 50 and 52, respectively, andplate 82 is bolted to both plate members 80 and 84, inserting the boltsthrough openings in the plate members selected to provide the desiredwidth of the rocker assembly 12. The cross bracing members 76 and 78have their ends fixed to rocker members 50 and 52, and they are orientedsubstantially perpendicular to one another, each extending between anupper portion of one rocker member and a lower portion of the otherrocker member. The cross bracing members are made adjustable by turnbuckles 86 and 88, respectively.

Each of the rocker members 50 and 52, in addition to their curved baseportions 54, have an upper side 90 which conforms generally to theconfiguration of the underside 18 of the transformer 10, starting at thebottom end 14 thereof and extending to a predetermined point between thebottom and top ends of the transformer, such as approximately midwaybetween these ends. The first end 56 of the curved base member 54 startsat one end of the upper side 90, and curves smoothly outwardlytherefrom, towards the top end 16 of the transformer, until reaching end58 of the curved base member which is at ground level 92. At this point,the curved base 54 is separated from the upper side portion 90 byvertically extending side or end portion 94.

Fittings 100 and 102 are welded to rocker members 50 and 52,respectively, near the intersection of the upper side 90 with the curvedbase portion 54, with these fittings cooperating with fittings 26 and 28on the transformer 10, respectively, to enable the rocker assembly 12 tobe pinned or bolted to the transformer 10. Bolts or pins 104 and 106 areinserted through the openings in the fittings and secured by suitablenuts. Two additional fittings are disposed on the upper side 90 ofrocker members 50 and 52, such as fitting 108 on rocker member 50, whichare adapted to cooperate with the pads welded to the transformer, suchas pad 42. Suitable bolts, such as bolt 1 10, is inserted through theopenings inthe fittings, to complete the assembly of the rocker assembly12 to the transformer 10.

The method of uprighting transformer from its horizontal position shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 will now be described. When the horizontally disposedtransformer 10 arrives at its destination point on a railroad car, thetransformer is unloaded from the car sideways onto suitable cribbing. Atthis point, the transfonner is still on its side, 2 to 4 feet above theground level 92. Transformer 10 is then raised vertically, still in itshorizontal shipping position, by jacks and cribbing, such as cribbing112, until the transformer is high enough to attach the rocker assembly12, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and hereinbefore described. The cribbingwhich supports the bottom end of the transfomler 10 may now be removed,supporting this end of the transfonner 10 by end 58 of the curved baseportions 54 of the rocker members 50 and 52.

Cables 62, which extend through channels in the curved base portions ofthe rocker members 50 and 52, have their ends which extend outwardlyfrom the rocker members 50 and 52 securely anchored or fixed as shown at114. The other ends of cable 62 are fixed either to the rocker members,as illustrated, or to the transformer 10 near the bottom end 14 thereof.Cables are also securely attached to the transformer 10 near theremaining corners of the transformer, with cables 116 and 118 beingsecured to fittings 30 and 32, respectively, near the upper corners ofthe bottom end 14 of the transformer, cables 120 and 122 are secured tofittings 38 and 40, respectively, near the upper corners of the top end16 of the transformer, and cables are secured to fittings 34 and 36 atthe bottom corners of the top end 16, such as cable 124 to fitting 34.Cables 120, 122, 116 and 118 extend outwardly and away from the bottomend 14 of the transformer 10, while cables 62 and 124 extend outwardlyand away from the top end 16 of the transformer 10.

As hereinbefore stated, cables 62 are securely anchored at point 114.Cables 120 and 122 are connected to pulling apparatus of the typeconventionally available in the field, such as light cranes, A-frames,or winches. Cables 116, 118 and 124 are connected to means for keepingthe cable taut throughout the uprighting cycle, and for smoothly andadjustably providing restraint on the transformer, which restraint isgradually removed to allow controlled turning of the transformer.

The uprighting of transformer 10 is to be performed by rotary movementonly of the transformer. Rectilinear movement of the transformer is tobe avoided. The complete turning cycle has first and second portions.The first portion requires an outside energy source to pull certain ofthe cables until the center of gravity of the transformer moves past thefirst end of the curved base portion of the rocker members. Thetransformer is restrained at this point from suddenly completing theremaining or second portion of the turning cycle, and this restraint iscontrollably released to allow the transformer to slowly complete thesecond portion of the turning cycle, during which time pulling from theoutside source is no longer required. There are two points in theturning cycle where it is necessary to prevent rectilinear motion. Atthe start of the pulling step, transformer 10 is horizontal and thepulling will attempt to slide the transformer horizontally. This must beprevented. Also, during the second portion of the turning cycle, afterthe center of gravity of the transformer passes the end of the rockerassembly, the bottom end of the transformer may try to skid backwards,and this must be prevented. The functions of pulling the transformerduring the first portion of its turning cycle is performed by cables and122, which are connected to suitable external pulling means (not shownthe function of preventing rectilinear motion of the transformer duringthe initial portion of the turning cycle is performed by anchored cables62 and 64, the functions of restraining the transformer from suddenlycompleting its turning cycle as the center of gravity of the transformermoves past the rocker assembly, and controllably releasing thisrestraint, is performed by cables 124, which are connected to suitablecontrolable restraining means, and the function of preventing thetransformer from skidding backwards as the center of gravity of thetransformer moves past the first end 56 of the curved base portion ofthe rocker members if performed by cables 116 and 118, which areconnected to external means selected to keep the cables taut throughoutthe uprighting cycle.

After the rocker assembly 12 is connected or attached to the underside18 of transformer 10, such that the first end 56 of the curved baseportion of the rocker assembly starts at the bottom end 14 of thetransformer, and the various cables have been attached to thetransformer and connected to external pulling or restraining means, asrequired, the process of uprighting the transformer may be initiated. Indescribing the uprighting process, FIG. 3 will be referred to, as wellas FIGS. 1 and 2, with FIG. 3 illustrating transformer 10 at a point inthe turning cycle.

The external pulling means, such as a light crane, or winch, startspulling cables 120 and 122. Since ends 56 of the rocker assembly 12cannot move in the direction of the pulling force, due to cables 62being fixed to ends 56 of the rocker assembly 12, or to the bottom end14 of the transformer, and to anchor I14, rectilinear motion of thetransformer in the direction of arrow will be prevented, resulting in atorque or turning force being exerted on transformer 10 which rotatestransformer 10 on the curved base portion 54 of the rocker assembly 12.The pulling force on cables 120 and I22 is continued until the center ofgravity of transformer 10 moves past end 56 of the curved base portion54, at which point cables 124 restrain transformer 10 from suddenlycompleting the turning cycle, and cables 116 and 1 l8 prevent thetransformer from skidding backwards. The restraint on the transformerapplied via cables 124, 116 and 118, is slowly and controllably releasedto allow the transformer I0 to slowly complete the turning cycle,resulting'in uprighting the transformer. The rocker assembly 12 is thenremoved and shipped back to the manufacturer for use on otherhorizontally shipped electrical inductive apparatus. 1

The uprighting of transformer 10 is, therefore, accomplished withouthigh-capacity lifting devices, requiring only light cranes, winches, orthe like, which devices are commonly used in the field by riggers. Therocker assembly 12, being adjustable in width, may be used again andagain on different sizes of inductive apparatus.

In summary, there has been disclosed a new and improved method foruprighting electrical inductive apparatus in the field, after shipmentin a horizontal position. A rugged, lowcost rocker assembly is quicklyand easily secured to the transformer in the field. The rocker assemblyincludes curved base portion, upon which the transformer may be turnedfrom a horizontal position to a semivertical position. Cables attachedto suitable external restraining means prevent rectilinear motion of thetransformer during the turning cycle, and allow the transformer toslowly complete its turning cycle, after the center of gravity of thetransformer moves past the ends of the curved base portions. The new andimproved methods of uprighting the large electrical inductive apparatusdisclosed herein enable the uprighting of the apparatus to beaccomplished without high-capacity lifting cranes and other deviceswhich are not readily available in the field. Low-capacity cranes,winches, or A-frames commonly available in the field, may be used toupright the inductive apparatus.

Since numerous changes may be made in the abovedescribed apparatus andmethods, and different embodiments of the invention may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof, it is intended that all mattercontained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limitingsense.

I claim as my invention:

1. A method of uprighting electrical inductive apparatus from ahorizontal position, comprising the steps of:

attaching a rocker assembly having a curved base, to the underside ofthe horizontally disposed apparatus,

lowering the horizontally disposed apparatus until the curved base ofthe rocker assembly contacts a support, rotating the apparatus on thecurved base of the rocker assembly, through a first portion of theuprighting cycle, restraining the apparatus from suddenly completing theuprighting cycle when the center of gravity of the apparatus reaches apredetermined point relative to the rocker assembly, and controllablyreleasing the restraint on the apparatus through the remaining portionof the uprighting cycle, to upright the apparatus.

2. The method of claim 1, including the step of raising the horizontallydisposed apparatus to the height required to enable the step ofattaching the rocker assembly to be performed.

3. The method of claim 1 including the steps of attaching first andsecond cable means to the apparatus, with the step of rotating theapparatus on the rocker assembly, through the first portion of theuprighting cycle, being accomplished by pulling the first cable means,and with the steps of restraining and controllably releasing therestraint on the apparatus being accomplished with the second cablemeans.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first and second cable means areattached near the top end of the apparatus.

5. The method of claim 3 including the steps of attaching third andfourth cable means to the apparatus, to prevent rectilinear movementthereof during the uprighting cycle.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the third and fourth cable means areattached near the bottom end of the apparatus.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the third cable means is attached nearthe bottom end of the apparatus, extending through channels in thecurved base of the rocker assembly, and including the step of anchoringthe free ends of the third cable means.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein the fourth cable means is comprisingnear steps of: end of the apparatus and including the step of keepingthe fourth cable means taut as the apparatus completes the remainingportion of its uprighting cycle.

9. A method of uprighting electrical inductive apparatus from ahorizontal position, comprising the steps of:

attaching a rocker assembly having a curved base to the underside of theapparatus, with the curved base having a first end starting at thebottom end of the apparatus and curved outwardly, terminating at asecond end at ground level between the bottom and top ends of theapparatus,

lowering the apparatus until the curved base of the rocker assemblycontacts a support,

attaching first and second cable means near the top end of theapparatus, and third and fourth cable means near the bottom end of theapparatus, and third and fourth cable means near the bottom end of theapparatus,

pulling the first cable means in a direction which rotates the apparatuson the curved base of the rocker assembly, anchoring the third cablemeans to prevent rectilinear movement of the apparatus during thepulling step, restraining the apparatus with the second cable means whenthe center of gravity of the apparatus moves past the first end of therocker assembly, controllably removing the restraint placed on theapparatus

1. A method of uprighting electrical inductive apparatus from ahorizontal position, comprising the steps of: attaching a rockerassembly having a curved base, to the underside of the horizontallydisposed apparatus, lowering the horizontally disposed apparatus untilthe curved base of the rocker assembly contacts a support, rotating theapparatus on the curved base of the rocker assembly, through a firstportion of the uprighting cycle, restraining the apparatus from suddenlycompleting the uprighting cycle when the center of gravity of theapparatus reaches a predetermined point relative to the rocker assembly,and controllably releasing the restraint on the apparatus through theremaining portion of the uprighting cycle, to upright the apparatus. 2.The method of claim 1, including the step of raising the horizontallydisposed apparatus to the height required to enable the step ofattaching the rocker assembly to be performed.
 3. The method of claim 1including the steps of attaching first and second cable means to theapparatus, with the step of rotating the apparatus on the rockerassembly, through the first portion of the uprighting cycle, beingaccomplished by pulling the first cable means, and with the steps ofrestraining and controllably releasing the restraint on the apparatusbeing accomplished with the second cable means.
 4. The method of claim3, wherein the first and second cable means are attached near the topend of the apparatus.
 5. The method of claim 3 including the steps ofattaching third and fourth cable means to the apparatus, to preventrectilinear movement thereof during the uprighting cycle.
 6. The methodof claim 5 wherein the third and fourth cable means are attached nearthe bottom end of the apparatus.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein thethird cable means is attached near the bottom end of the apparatus,extending through channels in the curved base of the rocker assembly,and including the step of anchoring the free ends of the third cablemeans.
 8. The method of claim 5 wherein the fourth cable means isattached near the bottom end of the apparatus and including the step ofkeeping the fourth cable means taut as the apparatus completes theremaining portion of its uprighting cycle.
 9. A method of uprightingelectrical inductive apparatus from a horizontal position, comprisingthe steps of: attaching a rocker assembly having a curved base to theunderside of the apparatus, with the curved base having a first endstarting at the bottom end of the apparatus and curved outwardly,terminating at a second end at ground level between the bottom and topends of the apparatus, lowering the apparatus until the curved base ofthe rocker assembly contacts a support, attaching first and second cablemeans near the top end of the apparatus, and third and fourth cablemeans near the bottom end of the apparatus, pulling the first cablemeans in a direction which rotates the apparatus on the curved base ofthe rocker assembly, anchoring the third cable means to preventrectilinear movement of the apparatus during the pulling step,restraining the apparatus with the second cable means when the center ofgravity of the apparatus moves past the first end of the rockerassembly, controllably removing the restraint placed on the apparatus bythe second cable means, allowing controlled completion of the uprightingcycle, and preventing rectilinear movement of the apparatus with thefourth cable means, during the controlled completion of the uprightcycle.
 10. The method of claim 9 including the step of raising thehorizontally disposed apparatus to the height required to enable thestep of attaching the rocker assembly to be performed.